PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
C.O.
Reference :-
882
3
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-—NOT TO
A
war M
Ah 25th
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up
from the
Dyang Ismail had been left behind at Blanja along with Mr. Bacon to get ex-Sultan Ismail's answer to the Governor's proposition, and the statement is taken day he left Blanja along with Mr. Bacon ou the return trip.]
After that we went down the river to Bandar Bahru. Mr. Birch and Mr. Swettenham were at the Residency. After remaining two days at the Residency, Mr. Birch sent Nacodah Oolong Chetra to Campong Gaja in order to get the Sultan to put his chop to some papers. He returned saying Hadjee Hoosein, Hadjee Mat Syed were all there, and Abdulla said he could not put his chop. I then was sent up to Raja Muda to get him to put his chop to some paper. I met him at Campong Gaja, and asked him to sign the paper. He said no matter, go down the river, and I will go afterwards. After some days Raja Yusof came and saw Mr. Birch and put his chop to the paper, and then Mr. Birch took me to Campong Gaja. It was about 8 p.m. When we got there we went to Abdulla's boat and were told he could not see us. I returned to Mr. Birch's boat and said, you had better keep quiet, for there was a number of people. I said look round for yourself, see how many spears they have; so Mr. Birch said very good. Then the Datoh Sagor came to Mr. Birch's boat with a crowd of armed followers. said what is the use of your coming here ? He said very good, and went away, and about half-an-hour after Datoh Bandar came. Cranee Mat Arshad said, Mr. Birch wants to see the Sultan. The Toh Bandar said, he could not do so.
I
Mahomed Arsad asked him a second time; Toh Bandar said, no; and we went back the same night.
A few days after Abdulla took his boat up to Campong Gaja, and Mr. Sweltenham said, let us go up the river. I said, very good, and we went up to the house of the Bandabara, and asked him to put the chop. He refused to put his chop unless Ismail put his, and we returned down the river again, and met Mr. Birch at Passen Panjang. They all went to the house of Inche Ooda, where Abdulla was staying, and after a while we returned to Bandar Bahru. Again I went up the river to Passen Panjang with a letter from Mr. Birch to Abdulla. He said, What is the use of us taking notice of these continued applications, wait until we consult with the people up the river?" I returned. Next day Mr. Birch sent Nacodah Oolang Chetra up the river. I then went and told Mr. Birch that I was tired out and wished to return.
Nacodah
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At 11 p.m. Nacodah Oolang returned. Mr. Birch was not at home. Oolang then said to me the people have all agreed a day or two after the Bulan Puassa to kill Mr. Birch. I then went and slept in my boat. Next morning I went and saw Mr. Birch, and asked him to let me go down the river. He said, wait till to-morrow, I am going to Singapore myself, as I have got the Sultan's chop to the paper. The next day Mr. Birch went down to Doorian Sebatang. I followed him in the Pluto, and I told him about the conspiracy to murder him. He said, no matter, I am off to Singapore, and tap me on my back, and said, "long life to you." I then went down to Batta Rabbeit.
In about 20 days the Pluto returned from Singapore and went up the river. I was at Kotu Seteah at the time. In a day or two afterwards it came down the river with Mr. Birch, and stopped at Kota Seteah. Mr. Birch had a bad foot, and could not come ashore, but called Toe Seng and Gho Soo Swee (Singapore merchants) on board to sign some agreement about the revenue farm.
1 went on board, and said to Mr. Birch in two days there will be the Malay new year, All the people at Brembung Panjang, Telok Bahru, and all up and down the river are hiding their property in the jungle, and they say that if you go up the river they will do their work.
If you are going up the river from Bandar Bahru, I beg you to send me a letter, and will
go up and take care of you.
He said, don't bother yourself about me, take care of Khota Stéah; I am an old man, if I am killed the country will become the Queen's.
Four or five days after the Pluto brought word Mr. Birch was murdered.
I went to an island called "
I am a native of Pontianak. About 10 years ago
Sintang," on the east of Borneo. A European resident named Cockran came to take charge for the first time. He found me out, and got me to go about with him, and in return remitted all the taxes on my merchandise.
·
He took me with a fleet of about 200 to 300 boats to examine all the places in the neighbourhood. We attacked a place called " Num," but were driven back from it, although we used rockets. The wounded were taken to my cargo boat at Sunghy Pinoo, and was turned into hospital for the wounded. After that the Resident went up again to the place with a man-of-war, and took it; and I showed him several other countries, which he attacked and took possession of.
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After about three years a new Resident was sent, and I was introduced to him. Every thing being quiet, I returned to Pontainak, and went to Singapore and Siam, traded in diamonds, &c.
In Singapore I got acquainted with Goh Swee Swee, Chen Tee, and Captain Kim Cheng, and they recommended me to trade here. I have also introduced about 100 Bugis into Perak, and I have supported them during all the disturbances, and up to the present time.
I attached myself to Mr. Birch, because I had myself attached formerly to the Resident at Sintang. Mr. Birch gave me no pay, but encouraged me to introduce Bugis into the place, and when the country was settled_ he would remember me. I looked to him as my father. He gave me the cap I am now wearing.
(Signed in Malay character) DYANG ISMAIL.
Taken before us the 24th May 1876.
(Signed) (Sigued)
C. B. PLUNKET, W. F. B. PAUL,
Commissioners.
No. 3.
Bandar Bahru, May 21, 1876. INDOOT," states:-I am now living at Kota Seteab, employed as a police boatman. I came from Siak originally about three years ago, and settled down as a small trader at Batta Rabeit. About eighteen months ago I took up with one of the Sultan's slave girls, Lee Long Anom, and kept her, and for the time according to the custom of the country, whenever he went in his boat from one place to another, I had to go with him as a boatman.
One day I saw two boats with a white flag come to the landing-place at Batta Rabeit, and the Bindahara's son and five or six followers come ashore, and go into Sultan Abdulla's fort. A man named Che Assan told me they had brought a letter from Sultan Ismail, inviting him to go up to Kinta to consult with the chiefs of the Ooloo if there was any way of getting the English out of the country.
about 19th Ang.
Some fifteen days after this, Abdulla sent for his chiefs to his house at Batta Rabeit. Most probably There were present Tox Laxamana, from Doorian Sebatang, Raja Keechee Muda from Passeir Panjang, and Raja Mahomed his son, Raja Driss from Kompar, Toh Bandar from Tanjong Maidan, Toh Raja Maha Kota from Sunghy Doorian, Chee Ahmin of Batta Rabet. In the middle of the night, they all collected in an inside room in Abdulla's house.
Besides these chiefs there were present Kuloop Mahrouse and some of the followers of Abdulla, viz., Samah, See Panjang, See Charee, Mat Cassim, and myself.
There were also present Chee Sedah, See Alang, Teepah, Busoo, wives of Abdulla, See Anjang, See Andak, Seteka, See Utai, See Kumbung, and See Long Ahmom, with whom I was living, all slaves of Abdulla.
For two nights they had Mein Berhantoo," but nothing came of it. On the third night Abdulla ordered me to fetch five pots of water into the room, and place them upon a white cloth spread on the mat.
Raja Keechee Muda took some parched rice and put it into the five pots of water, he then put a white cloth round his head, burnt soine gum-benjamin, and made some incantation over the five pots, and then commenced to speak. He asked the people present, "What news?" "They replied, "Good news." Then Abdulla said, can my request be fulfilled? Raja Keechee Munda said, it can be fulfilled. Raja Ketchee Muda asked him for some money. Abdulla took him by the hand and said, if our business succeed, you will be paid. He then took some parched rice, spread it on the cloth, and made the figure of a man; he then took a fan, and knocked the figure with it, and it turned into a live butterfly, flying about; he caught it in his hands, and squeezed it to death, and said, if this butterfly is killed Mr. Birch will die, if it is not killed Mr. Birch will not die; he then threw the butterfly down, and it was dead. There were five candles lighting, fixed one to each pot.
Abdulla then put a cloth round his head and began performing incantations by sitting on the parched rice on the white cloth, looking down on it until he fainted. While in this state he held Raja Kechee Muda's hand, and fell down on the mat, and then Raja Keechee Muda took some of the parched rice, sprinkled over him, and he got up. Raja Keechee Muds then finished the ceremony.
Abdulla then said to the chiefs, you see according to our performance to-night Mr. Birch is to die, but if he does not die what plan shall we pursue? The Laxamana